Shear wall panel

ABSTRACT

A shear wall panel is utilized in building walls to reduce the tendency of the wall from moving relative to a foundation during periods of external forces (e.g. earthquakes, tornados, or hurricanes). The shear wall panel includes a top and a bottom horizontal support, a first and at least a second parallel and vertical support, and a third vertical support parallel to the first and second vertical supports. The top and bottom horizontal supports are parallel to one another and are located proximate the top and bottom of the wall respectively. The first and second vertical supports each have a first and a second end secured to the top and bottom horizontal supports respectively, and are perpendicular to the top and bottom horizontal supports. The third vertical support includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a connector. The first end portion passes through the bottom horizontal support and is secured to the foundation. The second end portion passes through the top horizontal support and includes a plate secured to a distal end of the second end portion. The a connector joins the first and second end portions of the third vertical support and applies a constant, predetermined force against the foundation and the plate, which in turn applies the force against the top and bottom horizontal supports and the first and second vertical supports.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to wall structures and moreparticularly, relates to shear wall panels.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] A large portion of the United States periodically suffers fromearthquakes, tornados, or hurricanes. Low-level wooden buildings,including nearly all residential structures, are particularlysusceptible to damage from these events.

[0003] During one of these disasters, the structure is sometimessubjected to large lateral forces applied in a direction parallel to,and in the plane of, the walls. This can cause the upper section of thewall to move relative to the lower section that is anchored to thefoundation. When the upper sections of the wall move to much relative tothe anchored lower section, damage can occur to the frame of the wallresulting in catastrophic failure of the wall, and possibly completestructural failure of the entire building.

[0004] Consequently, even one such event can damage or destroy largenumbers of wood-framed structures and their contents, causing billionsof dollars of damage, displacing thousands of people from their homes,and seriously injuring or killing their occupants.

[0005] Because of the significant damage and loss of life which canresult from a tornado, hurricane, or earthquake, the Uniform BuildingCode (UBC) began to impose requirements in the 1970s for providingadditional shear strength in the walls of low-level wood-framedstructures. Originally, plywood shear panels nailed onto a wooden wallframe and attached to the building's base with hold-downs were used toprovide the extra shear strength needed to meet the UBC requirements.However, plywood shear panels suffer from many disadvantages, such asbeing labor intensive and bulky.

[0006] Modular shear panels manufactured off site were designed to solvemany of the problems associated with plywood shear panels. However, themodular shear panels also suffer from many problems. For example, duringthe building process, last minute changes in the design of the buldingoften result in slightly different wall structures. Because the modularshear panels are constructed ahead of time, they consequently often donot fit in the resulting wall structure. As a result, the builders musteither modify the wall (if possible), or order a new modular shear panelresulting in added cost and time in any event.

[0007] Another problem associated with modular shear panels is cost.While installation time may be reduced in some cases, the modular shearpanels themselves are often expensive due to their complex design, thematerials used, and shipping costs.

[0008] Furthermore, many pre-manufactured modular shear panel systemsutilize complicated diagonal bracing systems that involve numerousintricate compound beveled cuts. These compound beveled cuts are verytime consuming to construct, and also result in a great deal of wastedmaterial.

[0009] A further problem associated with many known shear panel systemsis their inability to be installed in an existing wall structure withoutthe removal of much of the existing wall. This process is very timeconsuming and expensive.

[0010] Yet another problem associated with many known shear panelsystems results from a lack of adequate reinforcing of the header or topbeam. Many of the known systems reinforce only the footer beam to thefoundation when used in single story structures. While this may add adegree of safety over non-reinforced structures, failure may still occurfrom the movement of the header beam relative to the footer beam.

[0011] Accordingly, what is needed is a system that supports both theheader and the footer, even in a single story structure, to furtherreduce the tendency of the wall to move relative to the foundation. Thesystem should be easy to install, inexpensive, and capable of beingbuilt and installed at the building site into an existing wallstructure. The system should be easily and inexpensively adapted workwith a multitude of wall structure dimensions.

SUMMARY

[0012] The present invention features a shear wall panel having an uppersupport and a lower support disposed proximate the foundation, and atleast two shear panel sections at opposite ends of the wall panel. Eachshear panel section includes at least two vertical braces connected tothe upper and the lower supports, a vertical shaft positioned betweenthe two vertical braces, and at least one planar member, preferablyoriented strand board or plywood, which is attached to each of the shearpanel sections.

[0013] The vertical shaft, preferably a threaded rod, includes a firstand a second end portion and a tensioner. The first and a second endportions pass through the upper and the lower supports respectively andare attached to the upper support and the foundation respectively. Thesecond end portion of the vertical shaft is preferably secured directlyto or molded into the foundation.

[0014] The tensioner applies a constant, predetermined force to thevertical shaft, which in turn applies the force to the upper support,the lower support, and the vertical shaft. In a preferred embodiment,the tensioner is a two side threaded fitting or a turnbuckle.

[0015] The vertical shaft preferably includes a support plate mounted ona top surface of the upper support and attached to the first end portionof the vertical shaft. In another embodiment, the shear wall panelfurther includes at least one horizontal brace and at least one verticalbrace.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the method of constructing the shearwall panel includes constructing at least two shear panel sectionswithin an existing wall. A foundation connector is secured to thefoundation and the upper and lower supports are installed along the topand the bottom of the wall. The lower support includes a first hole thatallows the foundation connector to pass through the lower support.

[0017] Next, at least two vertical braces are secured to the upper andlower supports on opposite sides of the first hole, and the first end ofthe vertical shaft is secured to the upper support. The tensioner isthen connected to the foundation connector and the vertical shaft, andis adjusted to create the constant, predetermined force. Lastly, theplanar member is secured to the shear panel sections.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the act of securing the end of thevertical shaft to the upper support further includes drilling a secondhole in the upper support between the vertical braces and positioningthe support plate, mounted on a distal end of the vertical shaft,through the second hole such that the support plate contacts an uppersurface of the upper support. In another embodiment, the method includessecuring at least one horizontal brace and at least one vertical braceto the shear panel sections and the planar member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] These and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be better understood by reading the following detailed description,taken together with the drawings wherein:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a front view of another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

[0022]FIG. 3 is a front view of another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] A shear wall panel 10, FIG. 1, in accordance with the presentinvention, preferably includes at least two shear panel sections 11,disposed at opposite ends of the shear wall panel 10, which support theupper support (header) 12 and the lower support (footer) 14, therebyreducing the tendency of a wall from moving relative to the foundation16. According to one embodiment, each shear panel section 11 includes atleast two vertical supports (or braces) 18 and a vertical shaft 20having a tensioner 32. The exact size and materials used in the shearwall panel 10 will depend upon federal, state, and local building codesand is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art.

[0024] As will be described in greater detail below, in practice thetensioner 32 applies a generally constant and predetermined force Fagainst and between the foundation 16 and the upper support 12. Theforce F is consequently applied against the lower support 14 and thevertical supports 18, thus reducing the likelihood of catastrophicfailure of the wall.

[0025] The lower support 14 is disposed generally horizontal andproximate the foundation 16, while the upper support 12 is disposedgenerally horizontal and parallel to the lower support 14. The upper 12and lower 14 supports can be any type of support members known to thoseskilled in the art including, but not limited to, 2×4, 2×6, etc., metalsupports such as I-beams and the like, as well plastic and compositesupports.

[0026] The vertical supports 18 are molded into or otherwise securelyattached in a generally vertical manner to the upper 12 and lower 14supports. The shear panel section 11 preferably includes at least twovertical supports 18 a, 18 b. Additional vertical supports 18 may benecessary depending upon the load requirements of the shear panelsection 11 and the relevant codes. In a preferred embodiment, thevertical supports 18 are constructed from wood, though metal, plastic,and composite supports are also envisioned.

[0027] The vertical shaft 20 is preferably positioned between thevertical supports 18 a, 18 b, and is substantially vertical to andparallel to the vertical supports 18. In a preferred embodiment, thevertical shaft 20 is a threaded rod and includes a first end portion 22,a second end portion 24, and a tensioner 32. The first end portion 22passes through the lower support 14 and is preferably molded into orotherwise securely attached to the foundation 16. The second end portion24 passes through the upper support 12 and preferably includes a supportplate 26 on the distal end 28 of the second end portion 24. The supportplate 26 is positioned on the top surface 30 of the upper support 12 anddistributes the force F across the upper support 12.

[0028] The tensioner 32 is a device capable of creating the force F thatis applied against the first 22 and second 24 end portions of thevertical shaft 20. In a preferred embodiment, the tensioner 32 is atwo-sided fitting or a turnbuckle, though the tensioner 32 may includeany device that brings the end portions 22, 24 closer together such as,but not limited to, a ratchet, pulley, winch, etc.

[0029] The shear wall panel 10, according to another embodiment, mayalso include a planar member 34. The planar member 34 providesadditional rigidity and strength to the shear wall panel 10 byconnecting two or more shear panel sections 11. The planar member 34 ispreferably constructed from plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), butmay include any material known to those skilled in the art such as, butnot limited to, fiberglass, particle board, plastics and composites, ormetal. In a preferred embodiment, the shear wall panel 10, FIG. 2, mayinclude at least one horizontal brace 36 and at least one vertical brace38 secured to the planar member 34 and to the shear panel sections 11.The horizontal 36 and vertical 38 braces further increase the shear wallpanel's 10 ability to resist catastrophic failure by adding additionalstrength and rigidity.

[0030] The shear wall panel 10 may be constructed either on-site or in amanufacturing facility. In a preferred embodiment, the method ofconstructing the shear wall panel 10, FIG. 3, includes constructing atleast two shear panel sections 11 within an existing wall. A foundationconnector 40 is secured to the foundation 16, and the upper 12 and lower14 supports are installed along the top and the bottom of the wall. Thelower support 14 includes a first hole 42 that allows the foundationconnector 40 to pass through the lower support 14.

[0031] Next, at least two vertical braces 18 a, b are secured to theupper 12 and lower 14 supports on opposite sides of the first hole 42,and the first end 44 of the vertical shaft 20 is secured to the uppersupport 12. The tensioner 32 is then connected to the foundationconnector 40 and the vertical shaft 20, and is adjusted to create theconstant, predetermined force F. Lastly, the planar member 34 is securedto the shear panel sections 11.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the act of securing the end 44 of thevertical shaft 20 to the upper support 12 further includes drilling asecond hole 46 in the upper support 12 between the vertical braces 18 a,b and positioning the support plate 26, mounted on a distal end 28 ofthe vertical shaft 20, through the second hole 46 such that the supportplate 26 contacts an upper surface 30 of the upper support 12. Inanother embodiment, the method includes securing at least one horizontalbrace 36 and at least one vertical 38 brace to the shear panel sections11 and the planar member 34.

[0033] Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in theart are considered to be within the scope of the present invention,which is not to be limited except by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A shear wall panel comprising: an upper anda lower support, said lower support disposed proximate a foundation; atleast two shear panel sections at opposite ends of said wall panel, eachcomprising: at least two vertical braces connected to said upper andsaid lower supports; and a vertical shaft positioned between said twovertical braces, said vertical shaft comprising: a first and a secondend portion passing through said upper and said lower supportsrespectively, said first end attached to said upper support and saidsecond end attached to said foundation and said first end attached tosaid upper support; a tensioner applying a constant, predetermined forceto said vertical shaft which in turn applies said force to said uppersupport, said lower support, and said vertical shaft; and at least oneplanar member attached to each of said shear panel sections.
 2. Theshear wall panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vertical shaftfurther includes a support plate mounted on a top surface of said uppersupport and attached to said first end portion of said vertical shaft.3. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said planar memberincludes oriented strand board.
 4. The shear wall panel as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said planar member further includes at least onehorizontal brace and at least one vertical brace.
 5. The shear wallpanel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vertical shaft is a threadedrod.
 6. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 5 wherein saidtensioner is a two side threaded fitting.
 7. The shear wall panel asclaimed in claim 6 wherein said tensioner is a turnbuckle.
 8. The shearwall panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second end portion of saidvertical shaft is secured directly to said foundation.
 9. The shear wallpanel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second end portion of saidvertical shaft is molded into said foundation.
 10. A shear wall panelcomprising: a top and a bottom horizontal support located proximate atop and a bottom of said wall respectively, said top and said bottomhorizontal supports parallel to one another; a first and at least asecond parallel and vertical support, each support having a first and asecond end secured directly to said top and said bottom horizontalsupports respectively and perpendicular to said top and said bottomhorizontal supports; and a third vertical support, parallel to saidfirst and said second vertical supports, and comprising: a first endportion passing through said bottom horizontal support and secured tosaid foundation; a second end portion passing through said tophorizontal support and including a plate secured to a distal end of saidsecond end portion; and a connector joining said first and said secondend portions of said third vertical support and applying a constant,predetermined force against said foundation and said plate which in turnapplies said force against said top and said bottom horizontal supportsand said first and second vertical supports.
 11. The shear wall panel asclaimed in claim 10 wherein said shear wall panel includes at least twoparallel shear panel sections at opposite ends of said wall panel,wherein said shear wall panel further includes a planar member attachedto at least one side of each of said shear panels sections.
 12. Theshear wall panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein said planar memberincludes plywood.
 13. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 11wherein said planar member includes oriented strand board.
 14. The shearwall panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein said planar member furtherincludes at least one horizontal brace and at least one vertical bracesecured to said planar member and said shear panel sections.
 15. Theshear wall panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein said third verticalsupport is a threaded rod.
 16. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim15 wherein said connector is a two side threaded fitting.
 17. The shearwall panel as claimed in claim 16 wherein said connector is aturnbuckle.
 18. A method of constructing a shear wall panel within anexisting wall structure comprising the acts of: constructing at leasttwo shear panel sections within at least two portions of said existingwall, wherein constructing each shear panel section comprising the actsof: securing a foundation connector to said foundation; installing anupper and a lower support along a top and a bottom of said existingwall, wherein said lower support includes a first hole to allow saidfoundation connector to pass through said lower support; securing atleast two vertical braces to said upper and said lower supports onopposite sides of said first hole; securing an end of a vertical shaftto said upper support; connecting a tensioner to said foundationconnector and said vertical shaft; and adjusting said tensioner to applya constant, predetermined force against said foundation and said uppersupport which transfers said force against said upper, said lower, andsaid vertical supports; and installing a planar member to at least oneside of each of said shear panel sections.
 19. The method as claimed inclaim 18 wherein said act of securing said end of said vertical shaft tosaid upper support comprises: drilling a second hole in said uppersupport between said vertical braces; and positioning a support plate,mounted on a distal end of said vertical shaft, through said secondhole, wherein support plate contacts an upper surface of said uppersupport.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 19 wherein said methodfurther includes the acts of: securing at least one horizontal brace andat least one vertical brace to said shear panel sections; and securingsaid planar member to said horizontal and vertical brace.
 21. The shearwall panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein said planar member includesplywood.
 22. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein saidplanar member includes oriented strand board.
 23. The shear wall panelas claimed in claim 19 wherein said third vertical support is a threadedrod.